Vernal Pools are small but very dynamic wetlands that blossom with life every spring to the accompaniment of a cacophony of sounds. They also play an important role in improving water quality, controlling flood waters, and providing habitat for wildlife. Join Ray Stewart, from the Ohio Wetlands Association, to learn more about these special pools, and how you can help monitor pools in your neighborhood. Please join us for the day or for an hour or two to discover vernal pools and their Hidden Wonders.

VERNAL POOL EXPEDITION & DISCOVERY DAY SCHEDULE

Time

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Activity

09:00 a.m.

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Welcome and registration (coffee and snacks)

09:30 a.m.​

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Introduction to Vernal Pools PresentationThis introduction to vernal pools will explain the nature of vernal pools reasons for their rich biological diversity and seasonal explosion of life. There will be a brief discussion of the challenges and need for the conservation of these unique habitats.

10:15 a.m.​

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​Citizen Scientist/iNaturalist for Vernal Pools PresentationiNaturalist is a free online utility and smartphone app used to document field biology observations. This presentation will identify the key features of this program and how it will be used by the Ohio Vernal Pool Network to document and explore the diversity of Ohio’s Hidden Wonders.

11:00 a.m.

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Morning hike to explore pools and gather specimens

12:15 p.m.

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Bring your own bag lunch (water and snacks available)

01:00 p.m.

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Nature Center opens- Show and tell of macroinvertebrates from morning collection session.

02:00 p.m.

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Macro-Invertebrates Presentation​Often equated with ‘insects’, macroinvertebrates represent a broad expanse of curious life forms that contribute to the dynamic ecology of vernal pools. This presentation will show a representative range of organisms and peculiar attributes that belong to this little-known fauna.

03:00 p.m.

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Afternoon family hike to nearby vernal pools to see what lies beneath the surface.

05:00 p.m.

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Nature Center closed ​

Vernal Pool Expedition and Discovery DayCoyote Run FarmFriday, June 1, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 9 a.m.Join us to explore vernal pools. Free and open to the public!On Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Mick Micacchion (OWA Vice President) will lead an expedition to set traps that will be left in the pools overnight to collect specimens. Funnel traps are set in the water to collect salamander larvae, frog, tadpoles, and macroinvertebrates.

At 9 a.m. Saturday morning Mick will return to the vernal pools to empty the traps and examine their contents. Specimens will be brought back alive and placed in aquaria for the discovery day display which we expect to be ready to share at 11:00 am.

Contact us HERE if you are interested in joining Mick on either of these vernal pool collecting trips.

Directions: At the main farm barn located at 9270 Pickerington Road the historic ‘Tabernacle’ site, an educational display will be set up for everyone to examine the hidden wonders of vernal pools.